2005 Ford Freestyle Review

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

With truly comfortable accommodations for six passengers, plenty of cargo space and refined driving dynamics, the Freestyle has everything going for it except power.

Pros

Truly roomy seating for six passengers, plenty of cargo space, balanced ride and handling characteristics, lengthy list of safety features.

Cons

So-so acceleration, some low-grade interior materials, no stability control or navigation system.

What's New for 2005

The Freestyle is an all-new crossover wagon from Ford. Built on a Volvo platform, it incorporates the Swedish brand's safety and all-wheel-drive technology, while offering six- to seven-passenger seating capacity.

2005 Ford Freestyle Overview

Introduction

If you had to make a list of the current trends in family transportation, it would surely include wagons and car-based crossover SUVs. Wagons (the stylish ones anyway) are becoming more appealing to sedan buyers who need more cargo room, as well as would-be SUV buyers who realize they don't need all that ground clearance. Car-based SUVs, meanwhile, are a strong draw for would-be SUV buyers who realize they don't need all-terrain capability but don't want to give up the image or convenience of driving one of these vehicles. Ultimately, it's getting harder to draw the line between wagons and SUVs -- features like all-wheel drive, third-row seating and fold-flat seats are available on both sides. Already several manufacturers have attempted to straddle this line, but unlike others before it, Ford's well-packaged Freestyle does so with few if any compromises. Like the new Five Hundred sedan, the Freestyle is built on the same platform as the Volvo S60 and S80 sedans, V70 and XC70 wagons and the XC90 SUV. Chassis tuning is similar to that of the Volvos, and Ford makes no attempt to hide the fact that safety and all-wheel-drive technology is shared between the two brands as well. The Freestyle rides higher than a Taurus but lower than an Explorer, and offers the kind of step-in access you get with a minivan. But Ford's new wagon manages not to look like a minivan -- it has four hinged doors and its squarish front fascia strongly resembles the Explorer's. Inside, the Freestyle offers excellent visibility from the cockpit and "progressive theater seating" for the second and third rows: Each row is two inches higher than the one before it. Depending on whether you select captain's chairs or a 60/40 bench seat in the second row, the wagon can seat six or seven passengers. This kind of seating capacity is nothing remarkable among today's family vehicles, but the Freestyle is one of the few vehicles outside the minivan segment that can honestly seat this many people in comfort. One of our complaints about SUVs like the Explorer and wagons like the Chrysler Pacifica is that when you're carrying a full load of passengers, there's almost no cargo space to speak of. You might be able to fit a few groceries behind the third-row seat, but what if you're shopping for the whole week? The Freestyle provides a satisfying answer to that question, as it has a deep cargo well behind its rearmost seat, allowing owners to fit at least a half-dozen paper grocery bags without dropping the seat. Well-rounded as it is, the Freestyle has a couple of weak spots. With only a 203-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 providing power to this 4,000-pound vehicle, acceleration is merely adequate. Further, despite the emphasis on style and functionality in the cabin, not all of the materials used are up to import-brand quality standards. If you can get past these drawbacks, though, the safe and roomy Freestyle is definitely worth a look for families of four or more who won't drive a minivan.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The Freestyle comes in three trims -- SE, SEL and Limited. The SE comes 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, seating for six, air conditioning, a CD player, a six-way power driver seat, full power accessories and cruise control. The midgrade SEL adds an MP3-compatible in-dash CD changer, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls, automatic headlights, foglights, heated side mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a trip computer, extra sound insulation and body-color door handles and mirrors. If you go for the Limited, you'll get 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery in the first and second rows, wood grain interior trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, an upgraded sound system, power adjustments for both front seats (along with memory for the driver), front seat heaters, 50/50-split capability for the third-row bench and a cargo net. Note that SE and SEL models come with two-tone exterior paint, while the Limited gets a monochromatic paint job. Options include power-adjustable pedals, a three-person bench seat for the second row (provides seven-passenger capacity) and reverse parking sensors.

Powertrains and Performance

All Freestyles come with the most updated version of Ford's 3.0-liter Duratec V6, which now includes electronic throttle control. Horsepower comes in at 203, while torque measures 207 pound-feet. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard. Buyers can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

Safety

Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution are standard, as is traction control. Stability control is not available. On the options list, you'll find both side-impact airbags (for the front) and head curtain airbags (for all three rows). The Freestyle has not yet been crash tested.

Interior Design and Special Features

Depending on whether you select captain's chairs or a 60/40 bench seat in the second row, the Freestyle can seat six or seven passengers. The second row offers enough legroom to seat both adults and children comfortably. The captain's chairs can be adjusted fore and aft to provide more room for third-row passengers, but the 60/40 bench seat is nonadjustable. Third-row legroom is adequate when the second-row seats are in the all-the-way-back position and generous when the captain's chairs are scooted up. A deep cargo well provides a good deal of space for groceries, even when all three rows of seating are in use. When you need more room, both the second- and third-row seats fold flat into the floor.

Driving Impressions

Acceleration is acceptable for the most part, as the Freestyle has little difficulty getting up to highway speeds. However, we expect that owners will wish for a little more juice for passing maneuvers, especially when the vehicle is loaded up with passengers and gear. Ride dynamics are excellent, as the wagon's fully independent suspension delivers a smooth, refined ride quality and responsive handling in the corners.